Who Do You Think You Are

Chapter 20 - We could find some place to hide

Harry’s P.O.V.

When I heard that Stacy was coming over I made every excuse to leave. I really wanted to see her, badly, but I knew that I couldn't do it - not after the other day when she had begged me for clarity and I had run out on her. And then the phone-call. Uhuh. It would be way too uncomfortable and I would be the reason. So the plan was to extricate myself. If I wasn't in the picture, maybe everyone else could have a good time without there being an elephant in the room.

Stacy's P.O.V.

I walked straight into Liam's arms and he gave me a warm, sincere hug. It was just what I needed. Being here made me realize how much I didn't want to leave, but it was what I needed to do. The orphanage needed me. The reply had come at an appropriate time. A change of atmosphere couldn't be all that bad for me. But boy was I going to miss this bunch of adorable dorks. I hadn't really spoken to Niall since he'd asked me to keep my distance for a while. He wanted to be more than friends and the fact that we couldn't yet was a lot for him to handle. "I 'm not angry. I just need a little time to work things out for myself, that's all." His words were fresh in my mind. He needed time, time away from me and I respect that. That's what made this decision easier. But a part of me was still hoping that we could be what Niall had hoped – even if I wouldn’t admit it. I meant what I had said to him. I really did like him, but we had to wait for time to heal the awkwardness if we were going to make that transition. The awkwardness with each other, but also the awkwardness with Harry – where is that guy, anyway?

***

“Well I got you guys something, since I don’t know when I’ll get to see you again,” she said, reaching into her bag.

“What are you talking about? You said you’re only going away for a month,” Louis frowned and Zayn and Liam looked at her in a manner of asking the same question.

“I mean with you guys and your schedule; you could be busy when I get back. Also, the contract’s for a month, but I could get an extension. She handed little black boxes to each of them.

“Ahh, thanks Stace.” “What is it?” “You really didn’t have to do this.”

“I only leave in two days, so you guys can open it then,” she smiled. “And no cheating.”

“That’s just mean,” Liam joked.

“Here are the other two. You guys can give it to them when they get here.”

“That means I get three,” Louis said with a broad smile as he snatched the boxes out of Stacy’s hand and made teasing faces at Zayn and Liam. “Thanks Stacy. You’re the best friend ever.”

Zayn’s P.O.V.

After Stacy left, Paul and Louis went to the airport to fetch Niall. I knew he would be disappointed that he never got to see her, but his whole plan was to get away from everything and if she was here when he arrived it would have definitely been uncomfortable.  Niall hadn’t even told Stacy that he was going home; Liam had to tell her. She was handling this whole confusion pretty well and it seemed like things were finally working out. She was really happy this afternoon when we hung out; things were just like they used to be. Of course, Harry and Niall weren’t present, but things would work themselves out. I was sure of that. I remember how excited she’d been when she heard about the orphanage in Brazil and now she was finally getting to go.